Information for students what you can do if you have recently been sexually assaulted

Transcription

1 Information for students what you can do if you have recently been sexually assaulted The University of Brighton is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, and to responding appropriately to any incidents. This guidance has been produced for students who have recently been sexually assaulted or raped. It provides information that you might want to consider when making a decision about what to do next. Whilst the guidance is aimed at students who have recently been sexually assaulted, it includes information about sources of support which may be useful for any student who is a survivor of sexual assault and sexual abuse. If you have just been raped or sexually assaulted you may be feeling many things. Some people report that they feel numb or shocked, confused or frightened or fragile or angry. There is no right or wrong way to feel. It might be helpful for you to know that many people report that these feelings do not last. However you are feeling, try to remember that this is not your fault, you are not to blame, and you are not alone. You should not feel under any pressure to act in any specific way. Any decisions made will be yours alone and will be respected. Please see below the checklist of steps to consider: 1. Are you in a safe environment? 2. Do you want to take some time to talk or think things through? 3. Time limits to be aware of 4. Deciding what to do next 5. Continuing support at the University and in the local community 6. Other useful information and contacts 1

2 1. Are you in a safe environment? If the assault has just occurred, you might want to consider whether you feel safe where you are. EMERGENCY HELP If you or others feel at risk or consider the situation to be an emergency, you can call the Police on 999. If you require urgent medical help you should call for an ambulance (also on 999). If you do not feel at further risk and the situation is not an emergency but you wish to report the assault to the Police, you can call the Police on 101. You may not wish to report to the Police it is entirely your decision. See below for further information about the options available to you. If you require medical treatment but not urgently, you can either go to the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre or go to Accident and Emergency by taxi (see below for further information). If you are in University halls of residence, you can also alert staff based at your site. During the evening and night-time, the following members of staff can provide information and support: Student Liaison Manager - Monday to Friday, 4pm to midnight, Residential Advisors - Monday to Sunday including public holidays, 7:30pm to 7:30am, During normal office hours, there is a Halls Manager and Caretaker Team at each Halls of Residence. Security officers provide an overnight presence at each halls of residence from 9.45pm until 7.00am and can be contacted if you require immediate help. Contact details for the team can be found on If you are in other University premises and it is during normal office hours (9am-5pm), you can also alert staff at Student Services. Contact details for your local Student Services office can be found on If you require immediate help, the Caretaker Team can be contacted during the daytime or the Security Team during the night-time (after 9.30pm). They can be contacted on the dedicated Emergency telephone line that is supported 24 hours a day 365 days a year Please note that the Caretaker Team, Security Team and Halls Managers are not trained to provide specialist support for survivors of sexual violence. However, in cases of emergency, they can help to establish your immediate safety and signpost you to relevant support services. If you are not at further risk... Try to find somewhere safe and warm as you may be in shock. If you can, phone a friend to come to you. If you think you might want forensic evidence to be collected, try, if possible, not to drink, eat, wash, smoke, brush your teeth, go to the toilet or change your clothes. If condoms or other protection were used and you think you might want forensic evidence to be collected, keep them, and any bedding, in a clean paper or plastic bag if possible. You can also choose to do nothing now. If you feel that it would be useful for you to take time and to think about the options open to you then that is a perfectly valid decision. 2

3 2. Do you want to take some time to talk or think things through? If the situation is not an emergency, you may want to take some time to think things through or to talk to someone you trust, such as a friend or a member of staff at the University. University staff are not trained to provide specialist support for survivors of sexual violence. However, they can provide initial support and signpost you to specialist support services in the local area and nationally. Initial support and signposting If you are in University Halls, you may wish to speak initially to a member of staff there. During normal office hours, you can speak to the Halls Manager at your site. During the evening and nighttime, you can speak to the Student Liaison Manager or your Residential Advisor (see p.2 for Halls staff members contact details). Alternatively, you may wish to speak to someone in your school such as your Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT). SSGTs can provide initial support and signpost you to relevant support services at the University and in the local community. They can be contacted during normal office hours. The contact details for each SSGT can be found on the University website: Student Services also provide a range of support services, including counselling. Their services are completely confidential. This client confidentiality will only be broken with your express permission, or in exceptional circumstances, where you are deemed to be a danger to yourself or to others, or if there is a legal duty. Contact details for your local Student Services office can be found on the University website: For all sites you can also studentservices@brighton.ac.uk Further information about the counselling service can be found on p.7. The University also has a nurse who can provide information and signpost you to specialist support services, if necessary. If you would like to talk to the University Nurse in confidence you can call her during term-time, Monday Thursday, on , or you can use a telephone in Student Services and ring her on ext You can also access advice and guidance from your GP surgery. The university works closely with Sussex Police and has two assigned police officers: PC Lee Cook and PC Gaynor Martin. The Police Liaison Officers can offer information and guidance about the process for reporting sexual assault to the Police. You can speak to the Police Liaison Officers without your query becoming an official complaint to the Police. You can also speak to the Police Liaison Officers anonymously (for example, over the phone without giving your name) if you wish. PC Lee Cook can be contacted on or L.cook2@brighton.ac.uk and PC Gaynor Martin can be contacted on or G.Martin2@brighton.ac.uk Brighton Students Union also provide independent advice and support on a range of issues. Further information about their services can be found at: Specialist support in the local community and nationally You may prefer to speak to someone outside of the University such as a specialist support service for survivors of sexual assault. The Portal provides a single point of contact for victims and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse and violence, helping them to find the right help, advice and support in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex: There is also a Freephone telephone number or you 3

4 can them at The Portal will put you in contact with local specialist support services. You can also contact specialist support services directly if you wish. Services include the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The centre provides a range of services (including counselling, forensic medical examination and medical care) to anyone in Sussex aged 14 and over, who has been raped or sexually assaulted. The SARC in Sussex is called the Saturn Centre and is based at Crawley Hospital. The centre s services are available whether or not the assault has been reported to the Police. All you need to do is ring the centre to make an appointment. The centre can be contacted Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on There is also a 24 hour answer phone and an out of hours helpline ( ). Alternatively, you could speak to Survivors Network, the Rape Crisis Centre for Sussex. They have an Advocacy Team that provide signposting and practical advocacy support for people of all genders over the age of 14 who have experienced sexual violence and are thinking about reporting to the police. They can talk you through what a report might involve and if you decide to go ahead they can help you to do so and then support you through the whole criminal justice process.you can contact the Advocacy Team during normal office hours on or referrals@survivorsnetwork.org.uk Survivors Network provides counselling and peer support drop-ins for self-identifying women who have experienced sexual violence. They also have a helpline for self-identifying female survivors, as well as partners and supporters. The helpline is open on Wednesdays, 7-9pm, and be contacted on Or you can them at help@survivorsnetwork.org.uk or text them on Further information can be found on their website Rape Crisis England and Wales has a national helpline for female survivors of sexual violence: contact between 12 noon 2.30pm and between pm any day of the year for confidential support and/or information about your nearest services. Rape Crisis Surrey and Sussex is based in Crawley, West Sussex, and provides specialist counselling and an independent advocacy service. Further information can be found on Mankind is a Brighton-based charity that provides specialist support services to men (18+) who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and/or adult sexual assault at any time in their lives. They can be contacted at or admin@mankindcounselling.org.uk Further information can be found on their website: Survivors Network and LGBT Switchboard run a dedicated helpline which offers support to trans people including those who are non-binary and questioning who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lifetime. The trans helpline is open on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm and can be contacted on or info@switchboard.org.uk Further information can be found on their website: The Samaritans are also available 24hrs a day to support people through any trauma including sexual assault. They can be contacted on Time limits to be aware of It is up to you to choose what kind of support you want to access and whether or not you want to report the assault to the Police. However, before you make a decision, there are a few time limits you need to be aware of: If you suspect you were given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours. 4

5 If you want emergency contraception, access advice as soon as possible. There are several options available. Two of these are available up to 5 days (120 hours). If you would like HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), the medication should be started within 72 hours. Any forensic evidence can be collected at Saturn Centre, the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), and stored whilst you decide whether or not to report the incident to the Police. If you want forensic evidence to be collected, you should try and go to the Saturn Centre straight away if you can, or at least within 72 hours of the rape or assault (see p.3 for the Saturn Centre s contact details). Also try, if possible, to take these steps: - Do not wash - Do not brush your teeth - Do not have a cigarette - Do not eat or drink - Do not change your clothes - If you do change your clothes, do not wash them and put them in a clean paper bag - Try not to go to the toilet - Do not clear up anything from the area of the incident Don't worry if you have already done some of these things. It's possible that there is still forensic evidence to collect. If you think you need emergency contraception and/or are concerned about possibly having contracted a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs), you can access sexual health services at the Saturn Centre or at one of the following Sexual Health and Contraception Clinics: SHAC East (formerly Claude Nicol Centre), Brighton: Outpatients, Royal Sussex Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton. For a priority appointment with a Health Advisor phone and ask for sexual assault support. You can ask them to meet you in Outpatients if they are uneasy about walking into SHAC East s public reception area. SHAC East is open Mondays to Fridays. They also run a clinic at Morley Street Clinic on Saturday mornings (10am-12pm) on an appointment and walk-in basis. For further information about the centre s services, see their website: SHAC East also offers a confidential, non-judgmental service dedicated to men and women who have experienced sexual assault both recently and historically. The Solar Clinic offers booked appointments on Tuesday mornings from 09.30, offering support, advice, STI testing and medical treatment as necessary. For further information see Avenue House, Eastbourne: The Avenue, Eastbourne. The clinic is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 7.15pm (however, on Wednesdays the clinic is closed between 10.45am and 1.30pm). They also have a number of clinic sessions run from different venues across the area. For a priority appointment with a Health Advisor phone and ask for sexual assault support. For further information see Station Plaza Health Centre, Hastings: Station Plaza, Hastings. The clinic is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 7.15pm (however, on Thursdays the clinic is closed between 12pm and 1.30pm). They also have a number of clinic sessions run from different venues across the area. For a priority appointment with a Health Advisor phone and ask for sexual assault support. For further information see 5

6 Please note that the above sexual health clinics are not open at weekends or on public bank holidays so if you require emergency contraception at the weekend, it s best to go to your local Pharmacy (if you are under 25 the pill is free over the counter from some pharmacists). Walk-in centres at Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings train stations also provide free emergency contraception. They are open from 8am to 8pm every day. If you need HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at the weekend, you should attend the Accident & Emergency department at your local hospital. If you access the Saturn Centre s sexual health services, they can provide you with a green, fast-track card which you can use at any Sexual Health Clinic in Sussex. If you present this card at a clinic, you will be given priority for appointments without having to disclose that you ve been sexually assaulted. 4. Deciding what to do next The choices you have in terms of expert support and advice can vary according to the time and place at which the incident occurred. However, you can seek advice from a number of agencies at any time after the incident, even years later - support is not limited to those who choose to make an immediate report. Any decisions made will be yours alone and will be respected. Reporting the incident to the Police You can report an incident to the Police at any time. You can call the Police by dialling either 999 in an emergency or 101 (non- emergency). Another option is to go into your local Police Station: You may want to ask a friend or relative to go with you. If you choose to report an incident of sexual violence to the Police, a specially trained Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) will be sent out to see you or will speak to you over the phone. The officer will ask some basic questions to make sure you are safe and find out what happened, when and where, and who was involved. They will work out what needs to be done next and tell you about the support services that are available locally. A SOLO will also be able to take mouth and urine samples immediately so that forensic evidence can be preserved and you will be able to eat, drink and go to the toilet without fear of losing such evidence. The SOLO may, with your permission, take you to the nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) The Saturn Centre at Crawley Hospital. There you will be looked after by a Support Worker and Forensic Medical Officer (a specialist nurse who can collect forensic evidence). They recommend that you take a supportive friend or relative with you. Take a change of clothes as they will need the clothes you are wearing. Also take any bedding or used condom if relevant. The Forensic Medical Officer will be able to discuss with you immediate concerns relating to the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, as well as assessing any injuries that may be present. Staff at the SARC can also help and support you through the immediate trauma. At some point you will be asked to give an official statement to the Police. The Saturn Centre has special rooms with comfy sofas and hot drinks, where you can be interviewed if that feels ok for you. Alternatively you could decide to be interviewed in another location where you feel more comfortable, when you are ready. You should be aware that although you have called the Police, you can opt out of the reporting process at any point without losing the support of the SARC. You should be offered a referral to an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) and a referral for free counselling from a specialist service in your local area. 6

7 Further information about the reporting process can be found on Sussex Police s website: Reporting the incident to the Police at a later date Many people do not wish to report an incident of sexual assault to the Police immediately, but decide after a while that they want to do so. This is perfectly valid and there are steps you can take now to make it easier to report to the Police at a later stage. If you are not sure what to do, you can go to your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for information and support The Saturn Centre at Crawley Hospital. It's good to take a friend or trusted person with you if you can. At the SARC, you will be allocated a Support Worker who can talk you through the different options available to you. At the SARC, you can have a forensic medical examination, as well as tests for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. The SARC should not pressure you into reporting to the police and they can store the results of the forensic examination (or evidence) until you make up your mind whether to report to the police or not. You can self-refer to the Saturn Centre during the week (Monday to Friday), between 9am and 5pm. Unfortunately, it is not possible to self-refer to the Saturn Centre at the weekend or in the evenings. You may have to wait over the weekend before forensic evidence can be collected and you can access their support services. However some evidence can be collected up to 7 days after the incident. If you are unsure, you can access the Saturn Centre at any time by reporting to the Police and then if you change your mind, you can opt out of the reporting process it is your choice. If there are signs of a disturbance at the scene of the assault, it would be useful if you could take photographs in case you decide to report it to the police at a later date. Remember to keep any relevant clothes, bedding or used condom. Not reporting the incident to the Police If you are certain you do not want to report the incident to the Police at any time, then you can still access the support of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services at the Saturn Centre in Crawley Hospital, but you must wait until office hours on a week day (see above). You can choose not to provide forensic evidence but can still receive specialist medical support and be referred to an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor). You may also be able to access free counselling in your local area. Alternatively, or first of all especially at the weekend or evenings, you can get 24 hr access to the Accident and Emergency department at your local hospital for the treatment of any injuries: Brighton - Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE Eastbourne Eastbourne District General Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD Hastings Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7RD If you are based in Brighton and Hove, you can also access expert support on weekdays between 9am and 5pm at the Claude Nicol Centre Out patients department at the Royal Sussex Hospital. Specialist staff can test for STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), give you emergency contraception and provide emotional support. If you are based in Eastbourne or Hastings, you can access emergency contraception and STI testing at Avenue House Clinic (Eastbourne) or the Station Plaza Health Centre (Hastings). 7

8 There are also local and national specialist services that can provide continuing support, guidance and counselling (see below for further information). Reporting the incident to the Police anonymously Another option is to report the incident to the Police anonymously. Both the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Survivors' Network are part of a scheme called Third Party Reporting in which they pass on information to the Police without giving away any details which could identify you. This helps the Police to see if there are any serial offenders. SARC and Survivors Network will always ask your permission before they pass on any information. For further information about Third Party Reporting, you can contact the Advocacy Team at Survivors Network on (ext. 103) or at referrals@survivorsnetwork.org.uk. Further information about Third Reporting through Survivors Network can also be found at Alternatively, you can contact the Saturn Centre, the SARC for Sussex, on or online at 5. Continuing support at the University and in the local community Support at the University The University s Counselling Service is free to all Brighton students and provides a safe, confidential environment for students to discuss any concerns they may have, including traumatic experiences such as sexual assault or sexual abuse. If you decide to access counselling, you can make an appointment by phone, by or by visiting your local Student Services office. Contact details for your local Student Services office can be found on the University website: You can also the Counselling Team at counselling@brighton.ac.uk Appointments are available at all sites on weekdays throughout term time, and some limited appointments are available during vacations. Specialist support in the local community As well as providing immediate support to victims of sexual assault, Saturn Centre, Sussex s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), can provide a range of follow-up support including counselling, a specialist dedicated support worker called an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), and support through criminal proceedings if this is the path you decide to take. Further information can be found on the Saturn Centre s website Survivors Network, the Rape Crisis Centre for Sussex provide a range of support for self-identifying women who are survivors of sexual violence and sexual abuse, including advocacy, counselling, a regular drop-in (based in Brighton) and a national helpline. Further information can be found on Survivors Network s website: They also have a range of useful information sheets for survivors, their family and friends, and professionals: Rape Crisis Surrey and Sussex is based in Crawley, West Sussex, and provides specialist counselling and an independent advocacy service. Further information can be found on 8

9 Mankind, based in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, provide counselling to men (18+) who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and/or adult sexual assault at any time in their lives. Eastbourne Survivors is a self help and support group open to men and women (over 16 years) who are survivors of sexual abuse. RISE is a domestic abuse charity working in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. Rise supports women, children, young people and LGBT people affected by domestic abuse. They also have a Case Worker who works specifically with women from Black Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Sexual violence and domestic violence are often linked. CGL (formerly CRI) East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service provides information, advocacy and practical and emotional support to women, men and children living with domestic abuse and violence in the East Sussex area. Life Centre is based in West Sussex and provides support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Services include a helpline, counselling and support groups. Veritas Justice is a charity based in Brighton and Hove that provides support for victims of stalking, provides training for professionals and campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of stalking. Survivors Network and LGBT Switchboard run a dedicated helpline which offers support to trans people including those who are non-binary and questioning who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lifetime Victim Support provides practical and emotional support to anyone affected by crime, not only victims and some witnesses, but their friends, family and any other people involved. The Victim Support team in Sussex can be contacted on or on shorehamvcu@victimsupport.org.uk Safe Space Sussex - website set up by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner to help local citizens deal with the before and after effects of crime 6. Other useful information and contacts Rape Crisis England and Wales national charity and umbrella body for network of independent member Rape Crisis organisations. They also have a national Rape Crisis Helpline which can be contacted on between 12 noon 2.30pm and between pm any day of the year. Survivors UK national charity supporting men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault/rape, as well as their partners and carers. The Survivors Trust (TST) - national umbrella agency for specialist rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse support organisations throughout the UK and Ireland. Refuge UK including National 24hr Domestic Violence Helpline national charity providing a range of services for women and children affected by domestic violence. Services include a national Freephone 24 hour helpline:

10 Men s Advice Line advice and support for heterosexual, gay, bisexual and trans men experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Freephone: (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. Freephone: (opening times on website) National Stalking Helpline the helpline can be contacted on from 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays (except Wed, 1pm to 4pm) Paladin, National Stalking Advocacy Service national service assisting high risk victims of stalking in England and Wales. Services include national helpline: Karma Nirvana national charity supporting victims of forced marriage and honour based violence. Services include a national Freephone helpline (open 9am - 9pm weekdays & 10am - 4pm weekends): Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) - joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office. Services include a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims of forced marriage. Telephone: From overseas: +44 (0) (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), Out of hours: ask for the Global Response Centre Respect Phoneline - information and advice line for anyone who is concerned about their violence or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner: (Monday to Friday 10am 1pm and 2pm 5pm) This document has been developed in consultation with Survivors Network, the Rape Crisis Centre for Sussex. It is based on The University of Cambridge s Sexual Assault Disclosure Information Sheet for Students, The University of Sussex s Sexual Assault Disclosure Information and Options Sheet for Students, and information provided on Survivors Network s website: If you require this guidance in an alternative format, or have any questions relating to this guide, please contact the Student Experience and Equalities Manager at equality@brighton.ac.uk or Version 9 March